PAWLING, N.Y. (RNS) — Ruth Stafford Peale, the co-founder of the inspirational magazine Guideposts and widow of author and minister Norman Vincent Peale, died Feb. 6 at her home in Pawling, N.Y., the Guideposts organization announced.
Peale, who was 101, was called the “first lady of positive thinking” after her husband wrote the best-selling book The Power of Positive Thinking.
She helped found the Guideposts organization in 1945; its flagship publication now has a paid circulation of 2.5 million and a readership of 8 million.
“Her strength and belief in the power of prayer was an example to thousands and an inspiration to millions,” said Richard V. Hopple, president of Guideposts, in a statement on the organization's Web site.
The Fonda, Iowa, native was a high school math teacher before she married her husband, who soon became the pastor of New York's Marble Collegiate Church, where he served for 52 years. When he died in 1993, they had been married for 63 years.
Ruth Peale was the first woman president of the National Board of North American Missions of the Reformed Church in America, and also served on the board of directors of several organizations, including more than 50 years with the American Bible Society.
“She was a renowned speaker and author in her own right and personified one of her most famous quotes: ‘Find a need and fill it,' ” said Paul Irwin, president of the Bible society.
Peale was the author of Secrets of Staying in Love, and the autobiographical A Lifetime of Positive Thinking. The organization she helped found now includes prayer ministries and a program that provides handmade sweaters to needy children across the globe.